How My 10-Year-Old Tablet Became a Lifeline for My Non-Verbal Grandparent

How My 10-Year-Old Tablet Became a Lifeline for My Non-Verbal Grandparent

Giving a Voice to a Loved One

My grandfather lost the ability to speak after a stroke. He was frustrated and isolated. I took my old, ten-year-old iPad that was sitting in a drawer and installed a simple, free app called a “communication board.” It displays large pictures with words like “water,” “pain,” or “I love you.” He could just tap a picture, and the tablet would speak the word for him. I mounted it to his bedside table with a flexible stand. That “obsolete” tablet gave him his voice back, allowing him to communicate his needs and connect with us again.

The Free Software That Reads the Screen, Giving an Old Laptop to Someone with Low Vision

A Window to the Digital World

My neighbor, who has severe low vision, couldn’t afford a new computer with expensive screen reading software. I found an old laptop I had in storage. I installed a lightweight version of Linux and a powerful, free, open-source screen reader called NVDA. After a bit of setup, the laptop could read everything aloud—web pages, emails, documents. By combining a piece of forgotten hardware with free, community-built software, we created a fully functional window to the digital world for her, at a total cost of zero dollars.

I Built a “One-Button” Control for My Friend’s PC Using an Old Mouse

Simplifying the World with a Single Click

My friend has a severe motor impairment and can only reliably press one large button. He wanted to be able to pause and play his audiobooks on his computer. I took an old, broken mouse and opened it up. I desoldered the wires from the main “left-click” switch. I then bought a big, red, arcade-style button for five dollars. I soldered the wires to the contacts on the big button. Using a simple software, I mapped the “left-click” action to the “spacebar” key. Now, he has a simple, durable one-button device to control his media.

The “High Contrast” Settings That Make Any Old Monitor Usable for the Visually Impaired

The Power of Black and White

My uncle’s vision is deteriorating, and the normal colors on his old computer screen were becoming a blurry, unusable mess. Before buying him a new, expensive monitor, I went into his computer’s accessibility settings. I enabled “High Contrast Mode.” This simple change transformed the entire operating system into a stark, black background with bright yellow and white text. The sharp contrast made everything instantly clear and legible for him again. This built-in, free feature gave his old monitor a new lease on life and restored his ability to use his computer independently.

How to Turn an Old Smartphone into a Powerful Magnifying Glass with Light

The Pocket-Sized Reading Assistant

My grandmother struggled to read the fine print on her medication bottles and mail. Her old magnifying glass was scratched and didn’t have a light. I took her old, retired smartphone, which has a much better camera than her current one. I installed a free “Magnifier” app. The app uses the phone’s camera to create a real-time, high-magnification view on the screen and allows you to turn on the LED flash for light. Now she has a powerful, illuminated digital magnifier that she can use to easily read anything.

This $5 DIY Switch Makes Any Gadget Accessible for People with Motor Impairments

The “Bite Switch” Built from Scraps

I was helping a quadriplegic friend who needed a way to trigger a button with his mouth. Professional “sip-and-puff” or “bite” switches cost hundreds of dollars. We built our own for about five dollars. We took an old mouse, carefully removed the small microswitch for one of the buttons, and soldered two wires to it. We then embedded that switch inside a small piece of soft plastic from a bottle cap. Now, he can hold the device in his mouth and gently bite down to “click” the switch, allowing him to control all sorts of adaptive technology.

How to Boost the Audio on an Old Laptop for the Hard of Hearing

The Free Software Amplifier

My father is hard of hearing, and the built-in speakers on his old laptop were too quiet for him to enjoy videos, even at maximum volume. A new speaker system was clunky and expensive. Instead, I installed a free, system-wide audio equalizer called EqualizerAPO. In the settings, it has a “preamp” feature that lets you digitally boost the volume of the entire system beyond its normal 100% limit. I increased it by another 50%, and for the first time, he could hear his shows clearly without straining.

I Hacked an Old Keyboard for One-Handed Use

A New Layout for a New Reality

A friend who is a writer suffered an injury that left him with the use of only his right hand. Typing on a standard keyboard was frustratingly slow. We found a keyboard layout designed for one-handed use, but he kept hitting keys on the unused left side by accident. I took his old spare keyboard, opened it up, and physically cut the plastic membrane traces that connected the entire left half of the keyboard. Now, all those keys are completely dead, creating a dedicated, error-free, one-handed typing machine for him.

The Best “Text-to-Speech” Apps That Run on Ancient Hardware

Giving a Voice to Old Words

I wanted to set up a dedicated audiobook and document reader for my dyslexic cousin. I didn’t want to use his main computer, as it was full of distractions. I took an old, slow netbook from 2009 and installed a very lightweight Linux distribution on it. Then I installed a simple, free text-to-speech program called “eSpeak.” The software is not pretty, but it is incredibly light on resources. Now he has a single-purpose device that can read any text file or e-book aloud without the slowness or distractions of a modern computer.

How to Use an Old Webcam for Sign Language Video Calls

The Window to a Silent Conversation

My friend, who is deaf, needed a way to make video calls in sign language with her family, but her old laptop’s built-in webcam was low quality and grainy. A new, high-definition webcam was over $100. I found an old Logitech C920 webcam, a popular model from years ago, at a thrift store for ten dollars. We plugged it into her computer, and the difference was incredible. The clear, 1080p video made it so much easier for her family to see the fine details of her hand movements, making their conversations clearer and less frustrating.

I Rigged an Old Tablet to a Wheelchair for On-the-Go Communication

The Mobile Command Center

My nephew uses a wheelchair and communicates with a tablet app. The problem was, he had no way to hold and use it when he was on the move. A professional wheelchair tablet mount costs over $200. I went to a music store and bought a flexible microphone stand for $30. Using a clamp-on tablet holder and some sturdy zip ties, I attached the stand securely to the frame of his wheelchair. Now, he has a fully adjustable, sturdy mount that holds his communication device perfectly in front of him.

The “Sticky Keys” Feature: The Most Underrated Accessibility Hack in Windows

The Virtual Hand That Holds Down the Keys

I was helping an elderly friend who had difficulty holding down multiple keys at once, making keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt+Delete impossible for her. I showed her the “Sticky Keys” feature, which has been built into Windows for decades. When you enable it, you can press a modifier key (like Ctrl, Alt, or Shift) and it will stay “active” until you press the next key. She could now press Ctrl, then let go, then press Alt, then let go, then press Delete. It’s a simple, free, and life-changing feature for anyone with limited dexterity.

How to Create Giant, Easy-to-Read Icons on Any Old Device

The “High-DPI” Trick for Low-Vision Users

The standard icons and text on my dad’s old laptop were too small for him to see comfortably. I went into the display settings and found the “Scale and layout” option. I changed the scaling from 100% to 175%. Instantly, all the text, icons, and windows on the screen became much larger and easier to read and click on. This single setting, available on almost any computer, is the easiest and most effective way to adapt an old interface for someone with low vision, without buying any new hardware.

I Used an Old Game Controller as an Assistive Device for Navigating a PC

The Joystick as a Mouse

My neighbor has arthritis, and using a traditional mouse was becoming painful. He had an old USB game controller sitting around. I plugged it into his PC and installed a free program called “JoyToKey.” This amazing utility lets you map the buttons and joysticks on a game controller to keyboard presses and mouse movements. We mapped the left joystick to control the mouse cursor and the main buttons to “left-click” and “right-click.” He can now navigate his entire computer comfortably from his armchair.

The “Voice Control” Software That Runs on a Decade-Old Computer

Hands-Free Computing on a Budget

I volunteer at a community center, and we wanted to set up a voice-controlled computer for patrons with severe physical disabilities. A new setup with modern software was too expensive. We took a donated, decade-old desktop PC. We installed a lightweight version of Linux and a free, open-source program called “Voice-Key.” It’s not as fancy as Siri, but it allows users to control the mouse pointer and type just by speaking commands into a cheap USB microphone. It’s a powerful, free solution that opens up a world of possibilities.

How to Simplify an Old Android Phone’s Interface for Elderly Users

The “Big Launcher” Makeover

My grandmother was intimidated by the complex grid of tiny icons on her old smartphone. She just wanted to make calls and see photos. I installed an app called “Big Launcher.” It completely replaces the standard Android home screen with a new interface that has huge, easy-to-read buttons for core functions like “Phone,” “Messages,” and “SOS.” It even has a simplified photo gallery. This single app transformed a confusing, frustrating device into a simple, confidence-inspiring tool that she now loves to use.

I 3D-Printed Custom Keyguards for an Old Keyboard

A Guide for Unsteady Hands

A friend with cerebral palsy had trouble typing because he would often accidentally press adjacent keys. He needed a “keyguard”—a plastic grid that sits over the keyboard and has holes for each key, guiding the user’s fingers. Custom-made keyguards can be very expensive. I measured his old keyboard, designed a simple grid in a free 3D modeling program, and had it printed at my local library for a few dollars. The 3D-printed guard snaps perfectly onto his keyboard, dramatically improving his typing accuracy and speed.

The “Screen Curtain” Trick: Using an iPhone Audibly Without the Screen On

A Privacy and Battery-Saving Hack for VoiceOver Users

My friend, who is blind, is an expert at using the iPhone’s “VoiceOver” screen reader. I showed him a trick that changed his daily use. With VoiceOver enabled, you can triple-tap the screen with three fingers to turn on the “Screen Curtain.” This makes the screen go completely black, but VoiceOver continues to work perfectly. It gives him complete privacy in public, as no one can see what he’s doing, and it dramatically increases his battery life because the screen, a huge power draw, is completely off.

How to Turn an Old Bluetooth Speaker into a Personal Sound Amplifier

The DIY Hearing Assistant

My grandfather has trouble hearing the conversation at a noisy dinner table. I took an old, small Bluetooth speaker and a cheap lavalier microphone. I clipped the microphone to his collar and paired the speaker to his smartphone. I then used a simple app that takes the audio from the phone’s microphone input and plays it through the Bluetooth output. I placed the small speaker on the table in front of him. It created a personal sound system that amplified the voices of people sitting near him.

I Set Up an Old Laptop as a Dedicated “Audiobook” Machine

A Library That Speaks

My aunt has macular degeneration and can no longer read books. I took her old, slow laptop that she couldn’t use anymore. I wiped it clean and installed a very simple Linux interface. I loaded it with her favorite audiobooks and set up a single, large icon on the desktop that launches the audiobook player. The speakers are loud, and the interface is incredibly simple. That “useless” laptop has become her dedicated, distraction-free library, opening up the world of books to her again.

The Best Open-Source Accessibility Software You’ve Never Heard Of

Community-Built Tools for Empowerment

Beyond the basic built-in accessibility features, there’s a whole world of free, open-source assistive technology. For people who can’t use a mouse, there’s “Enable Viacam,” which lets you control the cursor by moving your head in front of a webcam. There’s “Dasher,” an ingenious text-entry system for people who can only use one button. These powerful, community-developed tools can be installed on old hardware, providing life-changing functionality at zero cost, proving that the best solutions often come from passion, not profit.

How to Adjust Mouse Pointer Speed and Size for Better Control

The Easiest PC Tweak for Accessibility

My dad was getting frustrated with his computer because he kept losing track of the small, white mouse pointer and had trouble clicking on small icons. Before he gave up, I showed him two settings. First, in the mouse settings, we dramatically increased the pointer size and changed its color to a bright, inverted black that was easy to see. Second, we lowered the pointer speed, so small hand movements translated to smaller, more precise cursor movements on screen. These two simple adjustments made the computer instantly usable and less frustrating for him.

I Used an Old Baby Monitor as a Remote “Alert” System

The Low-Tech Call Button

An elderly neighbor lives alone and needed a simple way to get our attention if she fell or needed help. A professional alert system had monthly fees she couldn’t afford. She had an old, audio-only baby monitor in her closet. We plugged the transmitter unit in by her favorite chair. We put the receiver unit in our own house, which was just in range. Now, if she needs us, she can just call out, and we’ll hear her instantly. It’s a simple, reliable, and free solution that gives both of us peace of mind.

The “Colorblind” Filters Hidden in Your Old PC and Phone

A More Vivid World Through Software

My friend is red-green colorblind and has always had trouble interpreting charts and graphs on his computer. I showed him a feature built right into his old Windows 10 laptop. In the accessibility settings, there’s a “Color filters” option. He was able to select the specific filter for his type of color blindness (Deuteranopia). The system instantly adjusted all the colors on the screen to shift reds and greens into a spectrum he could easily distinguish. It was like a pair of digital glasses that made the world of information on his screen clearer.

How to Automate Tasks with Simple Scripts for Those Who Can’t Type Easily

The One-Click Magic Trick

My coworker has a repetitive strain injury and typing long commands or file paths is painful. I wrote a few simple “batch scripts” for her Windows desktop. One script, when double-clicked, automatically backs up her work folder to the network drive. Another one automatically launches the three main programs she uses every day. I gave the scripts simple, clear icons on her desktop. These one-click solutions automate her most common, repetitive tasks, saving her from hundreds of painful keystrokes every single day.

I Built a “Sip-and-Puff” Switch from Aquarium Tubing and an Old Mouse

The Breath-Powered Button

A “sip-and-puff” switch allows someone with extreme mobility impairment to control a device by sipping or puffing on a tube. These medical devices are very expensive. I built a basic one for a friend’s project. I took a length of aquarium air tubing and fed it into a small balloon inside a plastic bottle. I placed a simple microswitch next to the balloon. When you puff into the tube, the balloon inflates and presses the switch. It’s a proof-of-concept that shows how life-changing technology can be created with simple, everyday materials.

The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up a “Grandparent-Proof” Computer

Making Tech Safe and Simple

To make my grandpa’s old PC “grandparent-proof,” I did three things. First, I created a standard user account for him, keeping the administrator account password for myself. This prevents him from accidentally installing malware. Second, I installed a simple, free ad-blocker on his web browser to stop confusing pop-ups. Finally, I replaced his cluttered desktop with a few large, clearly labeled shortcuts to his most-used things: email, news, and family photos. This created a safe, simple, and frustration-free environment for him to explore the digital world.

How to Use an Old Phone to Transcribe Spoken Words to Text in Real-Time

The Personal Stenographer

During meetings, my colleague who is hard of hearing struggled to keep up with the conversation. I took an old Android phone and installed Google’s “Live Transcribe” app. I placed the phone in the middle of the conference table. The app uses the microphone to listen to the conversation and provides a real-time, scrolling transcription of what’s being said on the screen. It was a game-changer, allowing him to participate fully in the discussion without missing a word.

I Mounted an Old Gooseneck Lamp to Hold a Tablet in the Perfect Position

The Infinitely Adjustable Arm

My wife, recovering from surgery, needed to use her tablet while lying in bed, but holding it was impossible. We had an old, heavy-based gooseneck lamp that was broken. I removed the lamp head and wiring. I then used some strong Sugru moldable glue to attach a simple tablet holder to the end of the flexible gooseneck. We clamped the lamp’s base to her bedside table, creating a sturdy, fully adjustable, hands-free tablet stand that could hold the device in the perfect position for her.

The “Haptic Feedback” Hacks That Provide Tactile Cues

Feeling the Interface

For a friend with low vision, interacting with a flat, featureless touchscreen was difficult. We enabled all the haptic feedback settings on his old Android phone. Now, the phone gives a small, distinct vibration when he successfully types a letter on the on-screen keyboard, another vibration for a successful swipe, and a different one for a long press. These tactile cues create a “map” of the interface that he can feel, giving him the confirmation and confidence he needs to navigate the device effectively.

How to Replace Tiny, Annoying LEDs with Bigger, Brighter Ones

The Unmistakable Status Light

The tiny status LEDs on my dad’s modem were impossible for him to see, so he never knew if the internet was actually working. I opened up the modem case, de-soldered the microscopic green surface-mount LEDs, and replaced them with big, bright, 5mm LEDs that I mounted on the outside of the case. Now, he can see the “Power” and “Online” status lights clearly from across the room. It’s a simple hardware modification that provides a clear, unambiguous signal and removes a point of daily frustration.

I Used Sugru to Build Up Buttons on a Remote to Make Them Easier to Press

The Tactile Remote Control

My grandmother had trouble using her TV remote because all the buttons were small, flat, and felt the same. I took some brightly colored Sugru, a moldable, air-curing rubber. I put a small, distinctively shaped blob on each of the most important buttons: a green cone on the “Power” button, a blue ball on the “Volume Up,” and a red cube on the “Mute” button. After it cured, she could identify the key buttons just by feel, without having to look at the remote at all.

The “Guided Access” Mode on an Old iPad That Creates a Single-Purpose Device

The Focus Machine

I wanted to give my nephew, who has ADHD, a way to use a specific learning app without getting distracted by other notifications or apps. I used an old iPad and enabled “Guided Access” in the accessibility settings. This feature lets you lock the iPad into a single application and even disable certain parts of the screen. I launched the learning app and activated Guided Access. The iPad was now a dedicated, distraction-free learning tool. It’s a powerful, built-in feature that can completely change how a device is used.

How to Make a Website’s Text Bigger by Default on Any Old Browser

The Permanent Zoom

My mom was constantly pressing “Ctrl” and “+” to zoom in on every single website she visited because the text was too small. I showed her a simple, permanent fix. In her web browser’s settings, there’s an option for “Default Font Size” and “Minimum Font Size.” I changed the default font size from 12 to 16. Now, almost every website she visits automatically loads with larger, more legible text, saving her from that repetitive, frustrating task every single time she browses the web.

I Used an Old Wi-Fi Router to Create a “Local Only” Network for Sensitive Data

The Digital Air-Gap

I was helping a friend set up a computer to handle his sensitive personal and financial data. He was worried about viruses and hackers. We took an old Wi-Fi router and plugged his computer into it, but we did not connect that router to the main internet modem. This created a completely isolated, “local only” network. His computer could still connect to his printer and a local backup drive, but it was completely “air-gapped” from the public internet, making it incredibly secure from online threats.

The Ergonomic “Split” Keyboard I Made by Sawing an Old One in Half

The Ultimate DIY Ergo Board

My friend was experiencing wrist pain from typing and wanted an ergonomic split keyboard, but they are very expensive. We took his old, spare mechanical keyboard as a donor. In a very bold move, we carefully sawed the keyboard completely in half, right down the middle. I then spent an afternoon painstakingly soldering jumper wires to reconnect the circuit matrix between the two halves. We mounted the two halves to a board at a comfortable angle. The result was a fully functional, custom-built split ergonomic keyboard.

How to Use an Old Smartwatch for Silent, Vibrating Alarms and Reminders

The Nudge on Your Wrist

My roommate is a very heavy sleeper and his loud morning alarm would wake me up too. I gave him my old, first-generation smartwatch. We paired it with his phone and set his daily alarm to only vibrate on the watch, with no audible sound. The strong vibration on his wrist is enough to wake him up without disturbing anyone else. He also uses it for silent, vibrating reminders to take medication throughout the day. It’s a simple, effective use for a piece of “obsolete” tech.

I Connected a Large, Old TV to a Laptop as a Primary Monitor for Low Vision

The 42-Inch Computer Screen

My grandfather’s eyesight made his 15-inch laptop screen impossible to use. A new, large computer monitor was expensive. But he had a 42-inch, 1080p television he rarely used. I bought a long HDMI cable, connected his laptop to the TV, and set the TV as the primary display. We then used the operating system’s scaling options to make the icons and text enormous. Suddenly, he had a massive, high-contrast computer interface that he could easily see from his favorite armchair across the room.

The “Reading Mode” in Android That Simplifies Web Pages

Cutting Through the Clutter

My dad loves reading news online, but he gets confused and distracted by all the ads, pop-ups, and auto-playing videos. I showed him the “Reading Mode” or “Simplified View” feature built into the web browser on his old Android tablet. With a single tap, it strips away all the clutter from an article, presenting just the text and main images in a clean, easy-to-read, single-column format. It turns the chaotic web into a calm, book-like experience, making it much more accessible and enjoyable for him.

How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Complex Actions

The Power of a Single Keystroke

A client with limited mobility needed to frequently perform a complex, multi-step task on her computer. I installed a free program called AutoHotkey. It’s a simple scripting language that lets you automate any action. I wrote a short script that assigned the entire multi-step process to a single keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+1. Now, instead of a dozen difficult clicks and key presses, she can accomplish the entire task with one simple, easy-to-press chord. It’s an incredible tool for reducing repetitive strain and simplifying complex workflows.

I Used an Old Microphone to Enable “Voice Typing” on a Desktop PC

Speaking, Not Typing

My aunt developed arthritis in her hands, which made typing long emails painful and slow. Her old desktop PC didn’t have a built-in microphone. I found an old USB microphone from a video game in a thrift store for five dollars. I plugged it in and then enabled the “Voice Typing” feature that’s built right into Google Docs and Windows. Now, she can simply speak her emails and letters, and the computer types them out for her. That five-dollar microphone gave her a way to communicate without pain.

The Best Large-Print Keyboards (and How to Make Your Own)

High-Contrast, High-Visibility Typing

The faded letters on my grandmother’s old keyboard were impossible for her to read. While you can buy special large-print keyboards, a cheaper and faster solution was to make her own. We bought a pack of high-contrast, large-print keyboard stickers for ten dollars online. They had massive, bright yellow letters on a black background. We spent 20 minutes carefully applying the stickers to her existing keyboard. The result was a high-visibility keyboard that made it much easier for her to find the keys and type confidently.

How to Use an Old Tablet to Control Smart Home Devices with Voice Commands

The Central Command Station

I helped my neighbor, who uses a wheelchair, set up a few smart plugs for his lamps. Fumbling with his phone to control them was difficult. I took his old, unused Android tablet and mounted it to the wall. I set it up so that Google Assistant was always listening. Now, he doesn’t need to touch anything. He can just say “Hey Google, turn on the living room lamp” from anywhere in the room. That old tablet became a dedicated, always-on voice command center for his entire home.

I 3D-Printed a Stylus Holder for Someone with Arthritis

A Better Grip on the Digital World

My friend’s mom has severe arthritis and found it painful to hold the thin, slippery stylus for her tablet. I took some measurements of her hand and the stylus. Using a free 3D modeling program, I designed a thick, bulbous, ergonomic grip that the stylus could slide into. I sent the file to a 3D printing service, and a week later, the custom grip arrived. It fit her hand perfectly, allowing her to hold the stylus and interact with her tablet without pain.

The “On-Screen Keyboard” Customization You Never Knew Was Possible

The Keyboard That Fits Your Needs

A user I was helping could only use a head-tracking mouse and found the standard on-screen keyboard difficult to use. I showed him that the built-in Windows on-screen keyboard is surprisingly customizable. We were able to change the layout, increase the size of the keys, and add a “word prediction” bar at the top. We even changed the color scheme to be higher contrast. These simple, built-in tweaks transformed a generic tool into a personalized interface that was much faster and easier for him to use.

How to Turn an Old Android into a Dedicated “Hearing Aid” Using an App

The Super-Hearing Smartphone

While not a replacement for a medical-grade hearing aid, an old smartphone can be a powerful assistive listening device. I installed an app called “Hearing Amplifier” on my dad’s old phone. It uses the phone’s microphone to pick up sound, allows you to apply an equalizer to boost the specific frequencies you have trouble hearing, and then plays the amplified sound through a pair of wired headphones. It’s fantastic for watching TV without blasting the volume for everyone else in the room.

The Community That Designs and Shares 3D-Printable Assistive Devices for Free

Open Source Solutions for a Better Life

I was looking for a way to help a child who needed a custom bottle opener for his specific grip. I discovered a vibrant online community called “Makers Making Change.” It’s a network of volunteers who design and share 3D-printable files for hundreds of different assistive devices—key holders, zipper pulls, custom grips—all for free. I was able to download a design, have it printed locally, and provide a life-changing tool. This community is a powerful example of how technology can be used for good.

I Repurposed a Wii Remote as a Motion-Sensing Input Device

The Ultimate Low-Cost Motion Controller

I was working with a student who needed a simple motion-based controller for a presentation. A Nintendo Wii remote, which can be found at thrift stores for a few dollars, is a fantastic piece of old tech. It has an accelerometer and an infrared camera inside. Using some free software and a Bluetooth connection, we were able to map the remote’s tilt and pointing functions to control the mouse cursor on his PC. It turned a ten-dollar video game controller into a powerful and fun presentation tool.

How a Simple Software Update Can Add Major Accessibility Features to Old Tech

The Free Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Had

My friend was struggling with his five-year-old smartphone and was about to replace it. I checked for software updates and found he was three versions of Android behind. We spent an hour downloading and installing the updates. The new version of the OS included a whole suite of modern accessibility features that his old version lacked, including live transcription and better screen reader support. That free software update was a more significant accessibility upgrade than buying a brand new phone would have been.

The Most Impactful Thing I Ever Fixed Wasn’t for Me

The Repair That Mattered

I’ve fixed dozens of my own gadgets, but the most important repair I ever did was for my elderly neighbor. Her old tablet, her only connection to her grandkids who live overseas, had stopped charging. She thought it was broken forever. I looked at the charging port and saw it was just packed with lint. I spent two minutes carefully cleaning it out with a toothpick. When I plugged it in and the screen lit up, she burst into tears. It wasn’t about fixing the tech; it was about fixing a lifeline.